Device for connection of hydraulic apparatuses

ABSTRACT

Hydraulic connecting device with a pressure pipe speed coupling spigot, a return pipe speed coupling spigot, a cut-off valve between the pressure and return pipes, an actuator controlling said valve and a locking device coupled to the actuator which can be brought into mechanical engagement with each speed coupling spigot, the locking device being designed to prevent the cut-off valve to be closed before each of the speed coupling spigots is coupled to its associated speed coupling socket and that neither speed coupling spigot can be uncoupled from the associated speed coupling socket before the cut-off valve has opened.

United States Patent Frisk [451 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] DEVICE FORCONNECTION 0F 3,544,063 12/1970 Barlow ..25 1 /i 49.9

HYDRAULIC APPARATUSES Primary Examiner-Robert G. Nilson [72] Inventor.Knut Olov Frlsk, Gavle, Sweden y g M. weiner [73] Assignee: AB Tico,Gavle, Sweden [22] Filed: Dec. 16, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT Hydraulicconnecting device with a pressure pipe [21] Appl' 98708 speed couplingspigot, a return pipe speed coupling spigot, a cut-off valve between thepressure and return 3 Foreign li i P i i D pipes, an actuatorcontrolling said valve and a locking device coupled to the actuatorwhich can be brought 1969 Sweden "17914/69 into mechanical engagementwith each speed coupling spigot, the locking device being designed toprevent --137/599.l, l37/6l4.06, 25 1/ 149. the cut-off valve to beclosed before each of the speed Int- coupling pigots is coupled toassociated peed Field of Search 1 614.06; 25 /895, coupling socket andthat neither speed coupling spigot 25 1499 can be uncoupled from theassociated speed coupling socket before the cut-off valve has opened.[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures2,638,915 5/1953 Mitchell ..l37/599.l

PATENTEDSM W 3.693555 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTOR. KNUT OLOV FRISK ATTORNEYP'AIENTEDsms 1912 I SHEET 2 [IF 2 dr en unit The invention relates to adevice for the alternative connection of various hydraulic apparatusesto a hydraulic pump, a piping system or the like, with pressure andreturn pipesockets. 7 I

In the case, for example, of a vehicle with dismantlable, hydraulicallydriven implements, such as a loader, bucket, crane or the like, thehydraulic pump is usually driven by the vehicles engine and isconsequently placed on the vehicle. To permit dismantling and affixingof the implement and its coupling to the hydraulic pump, the pressureand return oil pipes are furnished with known speed couplings, so-calledplug-in couplings. Such speed couplings can be coupled and uncoupledwhenever desired. They may be uncoupled, for instance, even when oil isflowing in the pipes. But the oil flow is then forcibly interrupted, thespeed couplings are self-closing in conjunction with uncoupling, andoverloading of, and damage to the hydraulic pump and pipes may thenarise. The provision of a safety valve which opens when a maximumpermissible pressure is attained in the system is merely a partialsolution and is attended by the drawback that the oil passes the safetyvalve at maximum permissible pressure, is decompressed, enters thereturn pipe and is led back through the pump to the safety valve atmaximum permissible pressure. The

work performed by the pump during this circulation is converted intoheat and, with the relatively small quantities of pressure oil inquestion, this leads to a relatively quick heating of the oil unlesscountermeasures are taken in good time.

The same, or similar problems arise also in other contexts when a singlehydraulic pump is to be connected'first to one and then to a secondhydraulically The object of the present invention is to remedy thisdrawback and to bring about a suitable solution which allows couplingand uncoupling without thereby causing pressure loads on the hydraulicsystem or parts of it.

This is achieved according to the invention by a device to'connecthydraulic apparatuses to a hydraulic pump, a piping system or the likewith pressure and return pipe sockets, a speed coupling spigot for thepressure pipe, a speed coupling spigot for tlieTfiirrT pipe and, acut-off valveplaced between the pres;

sure and return pipes. An actuator controls the cut-off valve, and alocking means coupled to the actuator and mechanically engageable witheach speed coupling spigot, is so formed that the cut-off valve theknown manner, to be drawn back for release of the speed coupling spigotfrom the associated speed coupling socket.

The invention will now be explained by means of an 5 embodiment shown inthe attached drawings, of which FIG. 1 shows, partially incross-section, viewed from the side, an embodiment with connectedplug-in couplings for pressure and return pipes, and a closed cut-offvalve,

FIG. 2 the embodiment of FIG. I, viewed from in front,

FIG. 3 the embodiment of FIG. 1 with uncoupled plug-in couplings forpressure and return pipes and with open cut-off valve,

FIG. 4 the embodiment of FIG. I, viewed from in front.

The embodiment of the invention according to the drawing exhibits ahousing 1 with a channel for the suc- 20 tion or return pipe 2 and achannel for the pressure pipe 3. Between these channels there is in thehousing 1 a communicating channel 4 leading to a cut-off valve 5. Thecut-off valve 5 is furnished with an actuator 6 to which is coupled alocking device according to the invention.

The locking device has a locking means 7, here in the form of a disc,with cut-outs 8. Between these cut-outs 8 there are elevations 91 Thelocking device also has a lever 10 with which the cut-off valve 5 andthe locking device can be set under given conditions referred to below.

The channels for the pressure and return pipes c rse rr nuiieq hehq uaforwuuwtiwlp fixed pipe bushings, fittings or the like (not shown in thedrawing). On the opposite side of the housing in the drawing, i.e., onthe side where the locking device as well is placed, these channels endup in speed coupling sockets 11 of known type. Each speed couplingsocket 111 is furnished with a sleeve 13 retractable against the actionof a spring 12.

The speed coupling sockets 11 are designed for connection to speedcoupling spigotst t for the preferably flexible pressure and returnpipes, not shown on the cannot be closed until the speed coupling spigotboth likeiTn thisringIS, inthe embodiment shown, there is for thepressure and return pipes is coupled to the associated speed couplingsocket, and that neither speed coupling spigot can be uncoupled from theassociated speed coupling socket before the cut-off 6O .valve sQPAccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking devicehas locking means with cut-outs and/or elevations which are arranged tomesh with a sleeve or the like on the pressure or return pipe socket andwith the speed coupling spigots for the pressure and return pipes and acut-out, slot or the like therein.

The cut-out, slot or the like in the speed coupling spigot may besuitably arranged in a ring. designed in a slot 16 along its periphery.The slot is of rather greater width than the elevations 9 in the lockingmeans 7.

The object of the locking device according to the invention is toprevent closure of the open cut-off valve 5 if the speed couplingspigots 14 of both the pressure and return pipes are uncoupled fromtheir respective speed coupling sockets 11. Furthermore, the lockingdevice according to the invention prevents any speed coupling spigotfrom disengaging from its speed Coupling socket before the cut-off valveopens. In the embodiment shown this is achieved as follows.

The cutoff valve is assumed to be open and no plugin couplings arecoupled together (FIGS. 3 and 4). The locking device then assumes aposition in which the cut-outs 8 on the locking means 7 are inengagement with the two sleeves l3, projecting through the springs 12 onthe speed coupling sockets 11. The lever 10, and so the actuator 6 forthe cut-off valve 5, can therefore not be reversed. Further, neither canthe lever and actuator be reversed if only one speed coupling spigot iscoupled to one of the speed coupling sockets, in which case admittedlyone sleeve 13 moves back.

but the sleeve of the other speed coupling socket remains in engagementwith the associated cut-out 8 and, thus, locks the cut-off valve in openposition.

If, on the other hand, the other speed coupling spigot 14 as well iscoupled to its associated speed coupling socket 11, none of the sleeves13 are locked by the locking means 7. To ensure also that the rings 15of the speed coupling spigot do not enter into engagement with thelocking means in coupled position, each ring 15 has a slot 16 ofsuitable width. The cut-off valve can, thus, now be closed, and theconnected apparatus driven by means of a working medium supplied to thepressure pipe.

The slot 16 has however, still another function. As stated above, thedevice according to the invention has the object also of preventingdisengagement of both speed coupling spigots 14 so long as the cut-offvalve is closed and to permit uncoupling only when the cutoff valve 5 isopen.

This is achieved through the fact that the elevations 9 situated betweenthe cut-outs 8 on the locking means 7 are in engagement with the slots16 so long as the cutoff valve 5 is not entirely opened. Through thisengagement of the elevations 9 in the slots 16 it is ensured that therings cannot be drawn backwards, i.e., that the speed coupling spigots14 and speed coupling sockets 11 cannot be uncoupled.

Through this invention, accordingly, the initially mentioned drawbacksare precluded automatically in an advantageous and simple manner.

The connected hydraulic apparatus may also consist of only asingle-acting hydraulic cylinder, and thus only one speed couplingspigot, which then serves to connect both for the pressure and returnpipes to the hydraulic cylinder. In such case only one speed couplingsocket is needed. Both a pressure pipe from the hydraulic pressuresource and a separate return pipe to a hydraulic oil tank connect tothis socket, the pipe preferably being openable and closable by acut-off valve.

In such case the invention can be used in an analogous way, and thepatent relates also to such embodiments. Although the invention has beendescribed with reference to one of its embodiments, it can bearbitrarily variglwit hin thgscope ofthe claims. M 1. A device for usein connecting hydraulic apparatuses to a pressure pump having a pipingsystem or the like with pressure and return pipes, comprising:

a speed coupling spigot connected to the pressure I e; a s p ed couplingspigot connected to the return pipe; a speed coupling socket operativelyengageable with said speed coupling spigot of said pressure pipe; aspeed coupling socket operatively engageable with said speed couplingspigot of said return pipe;

means defining a channel operatively communicating with both saidpressure pipe and said return pipe;

a cut-off valve disposed in said means defining said channel;

an actuator operatively associated with said cut-off valve toselectively open and close said cut-off valve to allow and prevent aworking fluid from flowing in said means defining said channel;

locking means operatively associated with said actuator;

said locking means being lockably engageable with at least one of saidspeed coupling sockets when said cut-off valve is in an open positionand said coupling spigot is disengaged from its associated couplingsocket to prevent said cut-off valve from being put into a closedposition; and

said locking means being lockably engageable with at least one of saidspeed coupling sockets when said coupling socket is operatively engagedwith said coupling spigot and said cut-off valve is in the closedposition to prevent said coupling spigot from disengaging from saidcoupling socket.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises:

means defining at least one cut-out in said locking means, said cut-outbeing engageable with at least one of said speed coupling sockets whensaid cutoff valve is in an open position and said coupling spigot isdisengaged from its associated coupling socket to prevent movement ofsaid actuator thus preventing the closing of said cut-off valve.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 further comprising:

a slot in a ring of each of said speed coupling spigots, said ring beinga standard component of known speed coupling spigots being intended tobe pulled away from said speed coupling socket to release said speedcoupling spigot from said speed coupling socket; and

said locking means being engageable in said slot when said cut-off valveis in a closed position and said speed coupling spigot is engaged withits respective speed coupling socket to prevent said speed couplingspigot from disengaging from its associated speed coupling socket whilesaid cut-off valve is in the closed position.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein saidlocking means furthercomprises:

a rotatably mounted disc;

means defining two cut-outs disposed opposite each other on theperiphery of said disc, each cut-out being engageable with a differentspeed coupling socket;

elevations disposed between said cut-outs in said disc, said elevationsbeing engageable in said slots in said rings of said speed couplingspigots;

a lever affixed to the disc to rotate the disc to selectively place saidcut-off valve in the open and closed positions.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said locking means isdisposed between a speed coupling socket associated with said pressurepipe and a speed coupling socket associated with said return pipe ofsaid piping system.

1. A device for use in connecting hydraulic apparatuses to a pressurepump having a piping system or the like with pressure and return pipes,comprising: a speed coupling spigot connected to the pressure pipe; aspeed coupling spigot connected to the return pipe; a speed couplingsocket operatively engageable with said speed coupling spigot of saidpressure pipe; a speed coupling socket operatively engageable with saidspeed coupling spigot of said return pipe; means defining a channeloperatively communicating with both said pressure pipe and said returnpipe; a cut-off valve disposed in said means defining said channel; anactuator operatively associated with said cut-off valve to selectivelyopen and close said cut-off valve to allow and prevent a working fluidfrom flowing in said means defining said channel; locking meansoperatively associated with said actuator; said locking means beinglockably engageable with at least one of said speed coupling socketswhen said cut-off valve is in an open position and said coupling spigotis disengaged from its associated coupling socket to prevent saidcut-off valve from being put into a closed position; and said lockingmeans being lockably engageable with at least one of said speed couplingsockets when said coupling socket is operatively engaged with saidcoupling spigot and said cut-off valve is in the closed position toprevent said coupling spigot from disengaging from said coupling socket.2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein saiD locking means comprises:means defining at least one cut-out in said locking means, said cut-outbeing engageable with at least one of said speed coupling sockets whensaid cut-off valve is in an open position and said coupling spigot isdisengaged from its associated coupling socket to prevent movement ofsaid actuator thus preventing the closing of said cut-off valve.
 3. Adevice as defined in claim 2 further comprising: a slot in a ring ofeach of said speed coupling spigots, said ring being a standardcomponent of known speed coupling spigots being intended to be pulledaway from said speed coupling socket to release said speed couplingspigot from said speed coupling socket; and said locking means beingengageable in said slot when said cut-off valve is in a closed positionand said speed coupling spigot is engaged with its respective speedcoupling socket to prevent said speed coupling spigot from disengagingfrom its associated speed coupling socket while said cut-off valve is inthe closed position.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein saidlocking means further comprises: a rotatably mounted disc; meansdefining two cut-outs disposed opposite each other on the periphery ofsaid disc, each cut-out being engageable with a different speed couplingsocket; elevations disposed between said cut-outs in said disc, saidelevations being engageable in said slots in said rings of said speedcoupling spigots; a lever affixed to the disc to rotate the disc toselectively place said cut-off valve in the open and closed positions.5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said locking means isdisposed between a speed coupling socket associated with said pressurepipe and a speed coupling socket associated with said return pipe ofsaid piping system.